Claudio Bravo weighing up Chile retirement after World Cup failure

Manchester City goalkeeper Claudio Bravo says he will take "some time" to decide if he is to continue with Chile's national team after their failure to qualify for the 2018 World Cup.

Bravo could not hide his disappointment after Tuesday's 3-0 defeat to Brazil in Sao Paulo saw Chile finish sixth in the CONMEBOL group, with the top four teams qualifying for next year's tournament and fifth place going into an intercontinental playoff.

The Chile captain said he and his teammates had only themselves to blame.

He told La Tercera: "[I'm] more than tired, I'm sad. We complicated things for ourselves. We should have sealed the spot before this game. By the time we tried to push, it was too late."

The Copa America holders looked to be on the path to qualify for the World Cup but a surprising 3-0 defeat at home to Paraguay on Aug. 31 followed by a 1-0 loss at Bolivia five days later left their qualifying campaign in peril.

Last week's 2-1 win at home over Ecuador gave them hope but their loss in Brazil coupled with Peru's 1-1 draw at home with Colombia on Tuesday sealed their fate.

"It's tough when these things happen," the 34-year-old Bravo said. "But life goes on. Whoever is here [players and coach], we have to continue in this way and battle.

"I'm going to take some time to think. Another four years wears you down tremendously. Things will be decided with calmness, I have to talk to important people before deciding.

"Whether I or the coach [Juan Antonio Pizzi] is here or not, we have to continue in the same path, always having a starring role. The duty should be for the team to be as high as possible."

Bravo's wife, Carla Pardo, praised her husband's commitment to the national team but expressed her disappointment at Chile's failure to qualify by taking a swipe at some their players.

She posted a photograph of Chile celebrating winning the Copa America with a message on her Instagram account that read: "Thanks for all the beautiful times my national team. Thanks my captain America [Bravo] for all the moments we have experienced. It was truly beautiful.

"But when one wears the [national team] jersey it has to be with professionalism. I know that the majority bust their ass, while others were partying and even missing training because of the drunkenness they had. If the shoe fits, wear it, and stop crying. Because now the whole country is crying. Waiting for you my captain with open arms."

When asked about his wife's comments, Bravo, who has made 119 appearances for Chile, said: "Things have to be talked about from within, it's not the time to wash the dirty laundry in public, and that's all I will say. Those who are here know the responsibility. We are all adults and each of us are responsible for their own things."

Adriana Garcia is a Valencia-based football writer who covers La Liga for ESPN FC.